Pestilence

Is a medical pandemic a random event?

If the spiritual dimension of reality is ignored, the possibilities are:

It may be a result of accidentally coming in contact with a pathogen or someone’s choice to spread the pathogen.

It is important to find a way to neutralize the threat.

If the spiritual dimension of reality isn’t ignored, the possibilities are:

It may be from the Lord. It may be from the evil one. It may be from the widespread corruption of a fallen world.

It is important to respond in a God pleasing way.

Biblical examples of pestilence:

References citing the Lord as the initiator.

The plagues of Egypt - Exodus 11:1-5 “..."Thus says the LORD, 'About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die ...”

The wilderness wandering - Numbers 14:11-12 “...The LORD said to Moses, ... how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? "I will smite them with pestilence..."

The curses of disobedience - Deut. 28:15,20-22 "... if you do not obey the LORD your God, ... "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has consumed you from the land ... they will pursue you until you perish...”

The result of David’s improper census - 2 Samuel 24:14-15 “...So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people from Dan to Beersheba died...”

Jeremiah’s prophecy to a wandering people - Jeremiah 14:10-12 “...Thus says the LORD ... they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check .... I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence..." (also 21:6,21:7,27:8,27:13,29:17,29:18,32:36,34:17,42:17,42:22,44:13)

Message to Tyatira - Rev. 2:22-23 '”..Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, ... 'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; ...”

Reference citing the evil one as the initiator.

The suffering of Job - Job 2:4-7 “... Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head...”

Reference citing the filth and corruption of creation.

Romans 8:18-23 “... the sufferings of this present time ... the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God ... the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God ... “

Biblical responses to pestilence:

REPENTANCE when the Lord is the initiator.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 "...If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land...”

Rev. 2:22-23 '”..Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, ... unless they repent...”

PERSEVERANCE when the evil one is the initiator.

Eph. 6:10-18 “...Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, ...pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

SERVICE when filth and corruption is the initiator.

John 13:13-15 "...You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you...”

Application:

This is not an exhaustive study, but merely a small sampling of scripture.

Hopefully it can create a thoughtful posture concerning current events.

Since we are responsible for our response, we need to be careful with our focus and our position.

The world is full of guilt, fear and shame. It’s hurting. It’s in need of the “...sons of God...” Rom.8:19

John 12:47 "... for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world...”

We need to faithfully center on Kingdom forgiveness, healing, and transformation.